Paintbrush clamp or holder



Feb 21, 1950 N. J. SMITH PAINT BRUSH CLAMP 0R HOLDER Filed March 7, 194e Patented Feb. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT PAINTBRUSH CLAMP R HOLDER Nels J. Smith, Columbia Falls, Mont.

Application March 7, 194.6, Serial No. 652,688

-4 Claims.

My invention relates to paint brush clamps or holders and is particularly adapted for use in holding one or more paint brushes in paint cans or other containers containing paint or paint solvents, in order that the same will not dry out while not being used.

An importantl 'object of my invention is the provision of a device 'of the class described which can be used on cans or containers varying greatly in height.

Another object of my invention is the =provision of such a structure which may be used on paint cans or containers of any given circumference or shape.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel, inexpensive clamping device for holding the paint brush handles.

Another important object of my invention is the provision of means for vertically adjusting the paint brush clamps in order that the brushes may be lowered into the fluid at any desired level.

Another object of my invention isthe lprovision of a device in which a plurality of paint brush clamps can be mounted on a common vertical axis for rotation on a horizontal plane over the fluid within the container.

Another object of my invention is the provision of such a structure which is rigid and durable but which can be manufactured at a minimum cost.

The above and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, attached drawings and appended claims.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like lparts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my novel construction mounted on a paint can or container;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partly in vertical axial section and partly in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a top elevational view similar to Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of my novel paint brush clamp; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the letter A designates an open-topped lpaint can or other container over which a pair of laterally spaced anchoring hooks I are placed. The extreme outer ends of hooks I may be joined by a connecting member 2 as illustrated in Fig. 5, if desired. For the purpose of increasing the frictional bite of the hooks I upon the inner surface movements. v

2 of the container` A, I provide double teeth on the outer end of hooks I identified by the numerals 3 and 4. The inner ends of hooks I are formed or bent into vertically extending elongated tubular guides in the form of coils 5. The extreme inner ends of hooks I, as shown particularly in Figs. l and 5, extend into and are held fast by the rolled edges of a retaining clip 6, which member 6 is positioned intermediate the coils 5. A

stud 1, having a knurled head 8, is shown as A pair of supporting rods or legs S'extend verl tically through a pair of laterally spaced tubular guides 5. Their upper ends are bent horizontally at I0 to project the open upper end of container f A and terminate in a pivot pin-receiving loop or'eyelet II. The extreme lower ends of legs 9 are inwardly oiiset at I2 to prevent legs 9 from being accidentally withdrawn through guide members 5.

A vertically extending pivot pin I3 is carried by eye II, and is held securely in place by a nut I4. A plurality of paint brush clamps or holders, identied in their entirety by numeral I5, are lpivoted to pivot pin I3 for horizontal movements over the contents of the container A and are vertically separated from each other by spacers or the like I 6.

Referring with greater particularity to my novel paint brush clamps, it will be seen, particularly by reference to Figs. 3 and 4, that they are constructed from a single piece of spring wire or the like and are so formed as to make a pair of spring arms I'I and I8, respectively, which are crossed at their intermediate portions, as indicated at I9, and which are connected at their inner ends by an anchoring portion in the form of a pivot pin-receiving loop or eye 2l), through which pivot pin I3 is adapted to pass. It will be noted that arm I'I has an outwardly closed longitudinally extending slot 2l adjacent its free end. As shown, slot 2| is formed by bending backwardly upon itself, the free end of spring arm Il. Through .slot 2| the free end of arm I8 extends. It will be observed that free ends of arms I1 and I8 provide, outwardly of their crossed intermediate portions, an outwardly openinggbrush-receiving mouth and exert a yielding tension tending to close the mouth. It will also be observed that the free end of arm I8 is longer than the free end of arm I7 Whereby to provide a stop when cooperating with the closed end of slot 2I carried by the free end of arm I1.

Paint brushes, identified by the letter B, are shown in Figs. l and 2 as being securely held inthe clamps I5.

It will be observed that the load carried by supporting rods 9 is considerably off-center with respect to the axis thereof. Hence, supporting rods 9 are adjustably, but frictionally, held in tubular guides 5 against accidental movement. However, support-rods 9 may be very readily manually adjusted when desired to compensate for varying levels of the fluid in container A into which it is desired to subject the bristle end of the brush B. n

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, aI pair of laterally spaced anchoring hooks' adapted to fit.'v over ythe topedge of anv open., container, laterally` spaced, vertically extending guide members on. the outerl ends oi said hooks, means for maintaining the outer ends of said hooks in spaced relation to the walls. of said container, a pair o supporting rod-s frictionally, adjustably mounted. in said guide members, the Aupper ends of supporting rods terminating in a supporting bracket, and a horizontally disposed paint lbrush holder pivoted on vertical axis to saidV supporting bracket for movements over contents of said container.

2.y In a device of the class described, a pair of A.laterally spaced anchoring hooks adapted to nts-over the top `edge of. an open container, laterally spaced, vertically extending tubular guide members on the outer ends of said hooks, adjustable means for maintaining the outer ends of said hooks in spaced relation to the ywalls of saidfl-container, av pair of supporting rods frictionalflyl adj-ustably mounted in said tubular guide 4 brush clamps pivoted to said pivot pin for movements over the contents of said container.

3. The structure dened in claim 2 in which each of said paint brush clamps comprises a pair of spring arms crossed at their intermediate portions and connected at their inner ends by an anchoring portion in the form lof a loop, one of said arms having a longitudinally extending outwardly closed slot adjacent its free end through which the other of said arms is extended, said spring arms providing, outwardly of their crossed intermediate portions, an outwardly opening brush handle receiving mouth, and eX- erting a yielding-tension to close said mouth.

4. In a device of the class described, an anchoring hook adapted to t over the top edge .oan open container@ vertically extending guide members, the upper ends of said supporting rods horizontally disposed,` vertically spaced paintl member on the outer end of said hook in which said guilde vmember is formed by bending the outer end of said anchoring hook into a coil, a supporting rod irictionally adjnstably/ mounted in said guide member,j the upper end. of said supporting rod-terminating in a horizontally disposed. supporting bracket, and ahorizontally dis-- l ,posed paint .brush v clamp pivoted on a vertical;`

The following references are of record in the le of this patent: v

UNITED STTE'S PATENTS Number Name` Date 337,660 Campbell, Mar, 9, 1886- 653,051 Woods Julivv 3, 1990 '349,493 VMason Jan'. 12 1904 1,125,931 Arnest Jan, 26, 1915 -f21,40&,9''fl Ayer Mar; '1, 11922 2,184,656? Hannan Dec. 26, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 356,393 Germany July 24, 1922 269,842

Italy 1 nec. i6, 1929 

